Pages

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Guest Blogger Vijaya Schartz

History
and Legend duel in the CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE series - by Vijaya
Schartz

This
five-star gritty Medieval romantic series includes three eBook novels
so far, and a special kindle edition comprising the entire first
three novels.

Book 4,
LADY OF LUXEMBOURG, will be released later this year.

When it
comes to the early Middle Ages, history is heavily mitigated with
myths and legends. Since most official records are long lost,
whatever oldest manuscripts remain became official history.
Furthermore, modern archeologists now believe many legends had their
origins in historical facts and they are searching for evidence of
King Arthur and other mythical figures. Since the discovery of the
legendary city of Troy, we now realize that even the most
extraordinary feats may have their basis in historical facts.

The idea
for this series took flight a long time ago, during one of my
frequent trips to France. I have to say I am French born and raised
and I still have family there. My mother lives in Vouvant, a small
village south of Bretagne, where the local legend says that Melusine
the Fae built the tower in one night to save the town from the
invaders… of course upon close inspection, the tower in question
was first built with a square foundation, then destroyed and rebuilt
as a round tower, then rebuilt again with a different type of stones,
each time with a slightly different style of architecture.
Nevertheless, the legend remains.

Do I
believe the tower was built in one night through magic? Maybe not.
But as far as my novels are concerned, I'm sticking to the mythology
and legends: the original square tower of Vouvant was first built in
one night by Melusine the Fae. Case closed. Whoever says otherwise
will have to provide proof to the contrary. Good luck with that!

Then I
realized that Melusine the Fae reappeared in various parts of Europe,
centuries apart, with the same curse and a recurring theme. Thus was
born in my mind the thread for the Curse of the Lost Isle series.

From
history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic
Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a
curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their
deadly secret... but if the Church ever suspects what they really
are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.

806
AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - As the Vikings raid the coast of Alba,
Pressine of Bretagne sets out to seduce King Elinas of Dumfries,
chosen by the Goddess to unite the tribes against the foreign
invader. Elinas, still mourning his departed queen, has no intention
to remarry. Head-strong and independent, Pressine does not expect to
fall for the very attractive, wise and noble ruler... Furthermore,
her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism of the king’s
Christian heir, who suspects her unholy ancestry and will stop at
nothing to get rid of her.

810
AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - Queen at last, Pressine brings victory
to her beloved Elinas and prosperity to their growing kingdom. But
she has to contend with the intrigues of Charlemagne's bishops,
spurred by her Christian stepson. While Elinas, on the battlefield,
remains unaware of his son’s machinations, Pressine fends off
repeated assaults against her life. She also fears the curse that
could bring her downfall. For the love of Elinas, she will tempt fate
and become with child. But when her indomitable passion challenges
the wrath of the Goddess Herself... can she win that battle?

Luxembourg
- 963 AD - To offset the curse that makes her a serpent from the
waist down one day each month, Melusine, exiled Princess of
Strathclyde, must seduce and wed a mortal knight, the shrewd and
ambitious Sigefroi of Ardennes.

Sigefroi,
son of the Duke of Lorraine, suspects Melusine is not what she
appears, but her beauty, her rich dowry, and her sharp political
skills serve his ambitions. He never expected her to soften his
stone-cold warrior heart.

So close
to the Imperial court, dangers and intrigue threaten Melusine. War
looms on the horizon, a Mermaid was sighted around Luxembourg, and
Sigefroi’s bishop brother questions her ancestry. If anyone ever
suspects Melusine’s true nature, she will burn at the stake...

SEDUCING
SIGEFROI - EXCERPT:

“Is
everything to your liking so far?”

Jarred
by the deep male voice, Melusine snapped awake. Sigefroi stood in
front of her, one soft boot nonchalantly propped on the edge of the
wooden tub. The white of his tunic matched his teeth as he stared at
her with a wolfish grin.

Melusine
glanced around in panic for something to cover her nudity but her
clothes lay too far away. She pulled up her legs in the bath water
and laced her arms around her knees. “How dare you intrude? Can’t
you see I’m taking a bath?”

Sigefroi’s
bold gaze swept over her exposed body. “It’s not as if it were
the first time. You seem to like bathing in hot tubs as well as in
cold rivers.”

Shocked
at his effrontery, Melusine released one arm to point toward the
door. “Get out of my chamber immediately!”

“Your
chamber?” His grin widened. “This is the only private chamber in
the villa, and it happens to be mine.”

“Yours?”
Melusine flushed in confusion. She knew the villa was small but
hadn’t really thought about all the details.

“I’ll
share it with you, unless you want to sleep on the hall floor with
the servants.” The scowl on his brow returned. “And as the lord
of this place, I don’t take orders from my guests... or my
wenches.”

Wench?
Her solitary life hadn’t prepared Melusine for such vulgarity.
According to what she understood of men, however, she must not give
herself too fast but rather let Sigefroi grow hungry for her body as
long as possible. “I am no wench and demand to be treated with
respect!”

He
chuckled and effected a mock bow. “You certainly have mine, my
lady.”

Melusine
managed a forced smile. “If you give me your word to behave
honorably, I could sleep on a pallet behind a screen at the far side
of your bedchamber.”

He
rolled his eyes. “Truly?”

Melusine
hoped her inaccessible proximity would work in her favor. “There is
enough space for the two of us.”

“Nay.”
The candles flickered in his amber eyes. “You don’t understand,
my lady.” A slow smile spread on his sensual lips. “I intend to
take you to my bed tonight. After all, we are to be wed.”

“So
soon?” Panic choked her voice. Impaired by Sigefroi’s close
proximity, Melusine couldn’t think. He wanted to consummate their
union tonight? She quickly regained her composure. “My lord, it’s
not proper. We hardly know each other and are not yet betrothed.”

He
pulled up the sleeves of his tunic. “A detail easily remedied, my
lady. Do you mind if I wash my hands before dinner?”

Before
she could react, he dipped his hands in her bath, caressed her knee,
brushed the skin of her thigh. Delicious heat coursed through her
entire body. He seemed to enjoy her confusion as he swept the length
of her folded arms with the back of one finger.

Lifting
her chin with the crook of one finger, he bent and softly kissed her
lips.

Melusine
melted into the bath water, waves of heat swelled and washed over
her. His smooth, soft lips teased hers. Her mouth relaxed and opened
under his. She let him gently probe her mouth then claim it as his
own. Dear Goddess, she was lost.

How
could she manipulate this man when she yielded under his touch? She
had seen shameless wenches offer themselves to strangers when it
served their purpose, or even withhold their favors at will, but
Melusine could never do that. She could not refuse this man. She was
exposed, vulnerable, and in great danger.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR:

Born in
France, award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to
anything and could never refuse a challenge. She likes action and
exotic settings, in life and on the page. She traveled the world and
claims to also travel through time, as she writes with the same ease
about the future and the far away past.Her
books collected many five star reviews and literary awards. She makes
you believe you actually lived these extraordinary adventures among
her characters. Her stories have been compared to Indiana Jones with
sizzling romance. So, go ahead, dare to experience the magic, and she
will keep you entranced, turning the pages until the last line.